RATEPAYERS PROTEST

Evening Star, Issue 23496, 9 February 1940, Page 11

RATEPAYERS PROTEST

MEETING AT DALMORE HOUSEHOLDERS' ASSOCIATION FORMED The Dalmore, Gladstone, and Liberton ratepayers who met last night to discuss the question of rateable values were sincerely in accord in their protest. The upshot of the meeting was the formation of an association to watch the interests of the district. It was more or less tacitly agreed that little could be done about the increased valuations beyond the writing of a letter of protest to the city valuer, and it was decided to take this course. One of the most interesting features of the meeting was the recounting of instances in which it was alleged private persons had had their rates reduced upon protest to the authority. That there was little use in protesting against the recent higher valuations was the contention of Mr D. Lake, who explained the legal position in regard to valuation. All that could be done would be the writing of a letter of protest to the city valuer. In reply to an interjection that the letter, if written. should he registered or it would not command attention in the corporation offices, several people said that their letters of protest had received attention and replies had been received arranging interviews with the valuer.

MOTION OF PROTEST. Mr F, Brough moved that a letter of protest from the newly-formed association should be forwarded to the valuer, and that a copy be sent to the City Corporation. Mrs Brookes said that on application to the town clerk and the local councillor she had been informed that the rates were recovering from a fall experienced during the depression. That was not so. Rates had steadily increased, and it was for the association to protest on that score. The corporation was the ratepayer’s servant, not his master, and the true position should be made public. The amount taken in by the corporation from rates had increased each year through and since the depression • ' Mr D. Ritchie: The town clerk told me that with all the building that has gone on, the rateable value of the city is not what it was in 1932. And if I am as green as he thinks I am, then I’m not fit to burn. APPLICATION OF EXTRA REVENUE. Mr J. Peterson raised the question as to what would be done with the extra money. Assuming that the rateable value had! gone up 5 per cent., and taking into consideration the usual increase in value from new buildings, the estimated additional income amounted to £30.000. His opinion was that the rate would be reduced. Seve-

ral speakers supported this theory, claiming that they had been furnished wSth this information at the - Town Hall. ' Mr A. Qvam instanced the case of » friend who had approached the city valuer This official did not discuss the value of the house, but only the rent which the applicant would be prepared to accept. After some discussion, however, this man’s valuation had been reduced by £2. Mr M'Dowall said that h,e had erected the first brick place d on"'the hill, and his first valuation had been, for the amount of £56. He had protested, and the figure had been reduced by £l6. Later on, the-figure had again risen, and on a second application, it had been reduced again :by £2. The motion was carried. ASSOCIATION FORMED. The initial business of the meeting was the formation of an association for the .benefit of householders in the district. On the motion of Mr D. Lake, it was decided that the name should by the Dalmore and l Liberton Ratepayers and Householders’ Association. ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—President, Mr C. Mitchell ; vice-president, Mrs G. Brookes; hon. secretary, Mr D. Lake; hdn. treasurer, Mr A. Qvam; committee—Messrs P. Brough, R. J. Knox, J. H. Millis, G. T. Simpson, I. Hoddirig, D. L. Ritchie, V. Howard; hon. auditor, Mr J.- Peterson.